Concerto Competition

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The 2025 Concerto Competition

Registration for the 2025 Concerto Competition will be available in August 2024 

 

 

Independent judges will be invited to evaluate the competition, and it is a proud tradition to feature YSDP players who are the Chicagoland area’s finest young artists. The Judges will determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placements in each division. Honorable mentions may also be given.  Judges may opt not to give 1st place if they feel specific criteria and standards have not been met. YSDP conductors, staff, or the Board will not be involved in determining the scores, modifying the scores, or making placement decisions. 

The first-place winners will be presented with monetary Scholarship Awards and perform at one of the upcoming concerts with careful consideration of their pieces and concert venue. 

Scholarship Awards

Selected Concert and Symphony Winners may perform at the February or April concerts.  The  1st place Symphony Concerto Winner will receive $200 and perform their piece with the Symphony Orchestra. The 1st place Concert concerto winner(s) will receive $100 and perform their work with their piano accompanist.

The time will be assigned upon receipt of the completed application and the payment.

Additional Notes

Students are to receive prior approval of the music selection from their conductor before beginning rehearsing and memorizing.  Please email your music to your conductor for approval and copy audition@ysdp.org.

Your music must be a PDF containing all pages (in 1 file). Please do not submit each page.

The student must play one complete movement of a piece, which should be no longer than 8-10 minutes long. Submit a scanned copy (one PDF, not multiple pages) of your music with measures marked for the judges. Please email it to audition@ysdp.org or drop it off at the check-in desk in an envelope with your name on it.

A piano accompanist is required. The student will provide the name of his or her piano accompanist at the audition registration. 

Final decisions concerning solo performances are at the sole discretion of the Music Director.

To Symphony Orchestra Members:

If you are chosen to perform with the Symphony Orchestra during the April concert, orchestral accompaniments must be easily accessible and affordable. It is encouraged that you research and inform YSDP of the cost and availability of your music selection before receiving approval.

Students will discuss where / how to access the orchestral accompaniment parts with their private teacher.

Students must play complete movements of pieces.  Appropriate cuts may be used if the piece is too long.  Only one movement can be used for the audition.

PAST WINNERS: The Prior 1st place winners must wait one year to apply for the competition. 

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Concerto Competition!